Is there a better way to enjoy the freedom that boating offers than on board a vessel custom-made for cruising? Lean back into the padded helm chair, set the chartplotter for anywhere and watch the scenery slide past as you journey in comfort. Good times and good friends are all around, along for the ride, which may include fishing or entertaining or just lazing in the sun. And when you decide to drop the hook at the end of the day — heck, in the middle of the afternoon if you want — there’s nothing left to do but fire up the grill, mix a drink and watch another gorgeous sunset as you revel in a world of your own design. Here are eight new cruising boats that can help make your voyaging daydreams a reality.
Back Cove Downeast 37
Introduced in July, the Maine-built Downeast 37 (pictured, top) was designed with a simple idea in mind: “Stop-in-your-tracks prettiness and the biggest, most flexible exterior spaces available on a boat this size,” said Ken Burn, vice president of design and development for Back Cove Yachts. The cockpit is indeed large, stretching 12 feet by 12 feet, with a SureShade cover offering protection from the elements. Inside, the 37 can sleep two people in the forward V-berth and two more in a mid-berth. The interior is fresh and light, enhancing the open feel of the yacht. In the engine room, a 480-horsepower Cummins diesel promises dependable, efficient power. The company reports a cruise speed of 20 knots and top speed of 25 knots. www.backcoveyachts.com
Length Overall: 42 feet, 6 inches
Beam: 13 feet, 3 inches
Draft: 2 feet, 8 inches
Displacement: 22,100 pounds
Fuel Capacity: 300 gallons
Water Capacity: 120 gallons
Power: 480-hp Cummins diesel inboard
Base Price: $433,500
Beneteau Swift Trawler 50
The latest in the five-model Swift Trawler range, the 50 will launch this fall with pod drives — a first for the series. “By incorporating Volvo IPS pod propulsion, not only is the Swift 50 as quick and fuel efficient as her sisters, but it frees up valuable space in the midship, making the boat feel larger than other boats in her class,” said Laurent Fabre, vice president of sales and marketing for Beneteau Powerboats Division. The 50 takes advantage of that extra space to create a full-beam master stateroom amidships, along with another stateroom or onboard office. On the main level, there’s a large salon aft and a U-shaped galley, dinette and helm station forward. The flybridge includes a second helm, lounge seating and available dinghy storage. www.beneteauusa.com
Length Overall: 49 feet, 2 inches
Beam: 15 feet, 3 inches
Draft: 3 feet, 5 inches
Displacement: 35,264 pounds
Fuel Capacity: 634 gallons
Water Capacity: 212 gallons
Power: Twin 435-hp Volvo Penta diesel pod drives
Base Price: $899,900
Carver C40
The C40 is the second in this Wisconsin-based builder’s line of new flybridge motor yachts. (The first, the C34, was reviewed in our May issue.) Like its sister vessel, the C40 has shapely lines and a plumb bow, plus twin diesel inboards and a long list of standards that make it an capable cruiser with great value. The command bridge includes a full helm station with spacious seating for the captain and guests, and a giant sun pad. The aft cockpit leads to both an integrated swim platform and wide side decks that run forward for easy line handling. On the main level, the salon, dinette and galley are connected to create a single, user-friendly environment. Below, the C40 has a forward master stateroom, starboard guest stateroom and two heads with showers. www.carveryachts.com
Length Overall: 39 feet, 10 inches
Beam: 13 feet, 6 inches
Draft: 3 feet, 7 inches
Dry Weight: 20,500 pounds
Fuel Capacity: 350 gallons
Water Capacity: 131 gallons
Power: Twin 305-hp Cummins diesel inboards
Base Price: $485,575
Cutwater 26
Built with functionality in mind, the new Cutwater 26 is loaded with smart features to help make the journey as enjoyable as the destination. It starts with high rails at the bow and stern, massive pilothouse windows, and hatches and skylights throughout to maximize natural light and ventilation. The forward master stateroom, with its V-berth and head and shower, provides comfort and privacy. There’s also a mid-berth, and the dinette in the pilothouse converts to a sleeper for another couple — allowing accommodations for up to six total. The hull design is unique in that it incorporates tapered intake tunnels, a keel pad, skeg keel and raked stem for enhanced lift, stability and straight-line tracking. Plus, it’s trailerable! www.cutwaterbots.com
Length Overall: 30 feet, 4 inches
Beam: 8 feet, 6 inches
Draft: 2 feet, 4 inches
Dry Weight: 5,900 pounds
Fuel Capacity: 80 gallons
Water Capacity: 40 gallons
Power: 200-hp Volvo Penta diesel inboard
Base Price: $139,937
Ranger Tugs R-31
The R-31 is the first flybridge model from Ranger Tugs, providing both an upper and lower helm in a trailerable package. (The flybridge retracts for transport.) The foredeck has a bench and table that can be raised or lowered depending on whether the boat is underway or at rest. Wraparound seats in the cockpit can fold away when not in use, leaving the area open for fishing or stowage. The interior of the R-31 has two staterooms: an island berth forward with en suite head and a midship berth with day head. A starboard side door in the pilothouse provides direct access to the side decks. In short, this is a well-designed and hospitable boat with a distinct style and 15-knot cruise speed from its single diesel inboard. www.rangertugs.com
Length Overall: 31 feet, 2 inches
Beam: 10 feet
Draft: 2 feet, 4 inches
Dry Weight: 10,500 pounds
Fuel Capacity: 180 gallons
Water Capacity: 80 gallons
Power: 300-hp Volvo Penta diesel inboard
Base Price: $279,937
Sea Ray 510 Fly
Sea Ray yachts are known for their elegant, entertainment-packed designs, and the just-announced 510 Fly is no exception. Along with a full helm station, the flybridge offers two separate dinette seating areas, plus a wet bar with optional grill and flatscreen TV. On the main deck, panoramic windows enclose an inviting salon, with the galley and lower helm just two steps up. The real showstopper, however, is full-beam master stateroom, which is available with its own “breakfast nook” dinette and features rich cabinetry and a private en suite head and shower, as well as six diagonal hull windows. A forward guest stateroom with queen island berth and a mid-quarters with twin bunks round out the accommodation plan. www.searay.com
Length Overall: 51 feet
Beam: 15 feet, 4 inches
Draft: TBD
Dry Weight: 46,000 pounds
Fuel Capacity: 500 gallons
Water Capacity: 140 gallons
Power: Twin 593-hp Cummins diesel V-drives
Base Price: TBD
Tiara 50 Coupe
Set to be in production this fall, the 50 Coupe marks the launch of a new line for this Michigan-based builder. The yacht was designed to “appeal to conservative and progressive consumers alike,” said George Hetzel, sales and marketing vice president of S2 Yachts, parent company of Tiara. The salon and bridge deck offer 360-degree views and open to the cockpit through sliding aft doors, enhancing the indoor-outdoor atmosphere. Here, a large sofa, loveseat and rich cabinetry stretch forward to meet the dinette and helm station, which lie two steps up. The 50 Coupe is powered by twin Volvo IPS II drives in 800 or 950 horsepower for reliable performance underway and precise joystick control at slower speeds. www.tiarayachts.com
Length Overall: 54 feet, 6 inches
Beam: 15 feet, 11 inches
Draft: 4 feet, 6 inches
Dry Weight: 44,628 pounds
Fuel Capacity: 700 gallons
Water Capacity: 200 gallons
Power: Twin 400-hp Volvo Penta diesel pod drives
Base Price: TBD
True North 50
Not many flagship cruisers can be handled solo, but the True North 50 has side hull doors, an opening door at the helm and joystick-controlled IPS drives that allows one person to operate the yacht with confidence. It’s also designed for outdoor living, with sun pads on the bow and an outdoor barbeque grill. Paddleboards and kayaks are easily stored on top of the pilothouse, cockpit storage compartments hold scuba equipment or other gear, and the transom doors open to bring aboard a full-size tender. But the True North is not all handsomely rugged exterior. Inside, it features handcrafted woodwork and a glass helm from Garmin. The forward master stateroom is served by a private en suite head with a separate shower and dressing table. The centerline guest cabin has access to a day head. www.tnyachts.com
Length Overall: 50 feet, 3 inches
Beam: 16 feet
Draft: 3 feet, 4 inches
Displacement: 34,000 pounds
Fuel Capacity: 700 gallons
Water Capacity: 200 gallons
Power: Twin 435-hp Volvo Penta diesel pod drives
Base Price: TBD
